TIW Food & Wine Sneak Preview Event Reception
I arrived outside the Wonder's Pavilion around 5 minutes before 6 and saw a handful of others weighting around. Right at 6, we were quickly checked in and allowed to wait outside the glass doors until they were ready. This proved to be a slight issue as there was no air circulation until the door guard decided to crack open the doors to let some cool air escape the building and meet us.
As it neared 6:30, we were lead back to the elevator to go upstairs to the Wonder's Lounge of the Pavilion. This was a slow process as the elevator only had a capacity of a handful of guests at a time so there was a bit of a wait trying to get upstairs. I would have liked if they had stairs for those that were willing to use them and not force everyone to take the slow crowded elevator.
Luckily as I went upstairs, my only two complaints of the evening were over.
On the side as your walked in was the place card settings as the guests were broken up between various 'events' of the festival. I was 'lucky' enough to get the event I know everyone is the MOST excited about - "Magic of Healthy Living" Dinner. Despite having that event, it turned out to be a great thing as I was sat with Pam (the F&W Host), Gregg (head chef for F&W), and David (Designer for Graphics for the festival) along with a handful of other single guests at the dinner.
Table Setting
Menu
As I claimed my seat and left my purse, I headed up to the buffet for appetizers for the event.
Kalua Pork Slider w/ Sweet & Sout Dole Pineapple Chutney & Spicy Mayo
Shrimp on the Barbie w/ Pepper Berry - Citrus Glaze
Swedish Meatball with Lingon Berries
I ended up not trying the meatballs as I just didn't think they looked appealing. I believe those that had them enjoyed them though.
I did have the other two! The pork slider was so good with the pineapples and spicy mayo with the pork on a sweet roll. It definitely was a heavy stomach hitter and I could only enjoy one of them.
The shrimp...mmm...
They were cooked to perfection and thus so great to eat. My (slight) complaint is that they were hard to eat well gracefully. I tried to enjoy with the fork and knife and it just couldn't happen with the tails and the stick. I would have enjoyed more but I knew there was more food to be coming out shortly for the plated dinner.
The alcoholic beverages during the reception portion of the evening included:
- Xante Sunshine Cocktail
- Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc
- La Capra Pinotage
- Radeberger Pilsner
- Sam Adams - Boston Ale
- Stella Artois
- Abita Purple Haze
- Sierra Nevada
Of those, I only tried the Xante Sunshine Cocktail. In fact, I had two of them! Its a combination of the Xante Spirit, Lime Juice, Elderberry Syrup, and Lemonade.
Coming Up Next Presentation + Plated Dinner